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Spot fines for bad drivers
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13620		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  l3v1ck [ Wed May 11, 2011 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  Spot fines for bad drivers
News CLICKY
Quote:
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.

Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.

Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.

Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.

I actually agree with this in principle, though I'm not sure quite how practical it is.
For years there's been this fixation on speeding and speed cameras. Yet every day I drive, I see someone else driving like a twat, without necessarily breaking the speed limit.
Tail-gating, terrible lane discipline on roundabouts so they nearly hit other people, braking far too late and nearly hitting people, going through red lights (especially bloody cyclists doing that, but that's a rant for another thread), etc.
I'm sure you all see dangerous driving on a daily basis too.
While the number of fixed speed (sorry, revenue) cameras has gone up, the number of unmarked police cars has gone down. We need more police cars to spot dangerous driving.
They do really need to clamp down on dangerous drivers, especially as the roads get more congested.
Author:  Spreadie [ Wed May 11, 2011 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
Yes, you don't need to be speeding to drive like a d!ck. My currently pet hate is the guy who pulls up at the roundabout in the wrong lane, then floors it to get ahead of the guy in the next lane so he can cut in. All because the moron didn't fancy being third in line at the roundabout!

Oh, and middle lane hoggers! Round em all up, put em in a field and bomb the b@stards.
Author:  bobbdobbs [ Wed May 11, 2011 7:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
Spreadie wrote:
Yes, you don't need to be speeding to drive like a d!ck. My currently pet hate is the guy who pulls up at the roundabout in the wrong lane, then floors it to get ahead of the guy in the next lane so he can cut in. All because the moron didn't fancy being third in line at the roundabout!

Oh, and middle lane hoggers! Round em all up, put em in a field and bomb the b@stards.

and caravan owners :twisted:
Kenny Everet FTMFW
Author:  veato [ Wed May 11, 2011 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
I agree with this. I've read a lot of "but who decides what qualifies as bad driving" from people opposed to this but I suspect it's going to be used when its fairly clear cut e.g. wrong way around a roundabout, overtaking on solid lines, going through a red light, etc. If I indicate to turn left and change my mind and continue I'm hardly goign to be in fear of a fine. Driving over a zebra crossing with pedestrians about to cross on the otherhand....
Author:  adidan [ Wed May 11, 2011 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
They're specifically talking about tailgating and undertaking. They could knock that on the head by fining those that hog overtaking middle lanes doing 50 or 60 on a frikkin motorway.

How are they going to enforce this when they are reducing Police budgets? I barely see any cop cars on the motorways or dual carriageways nowadays and I still see countless people using their mobiles.
Author:  l3v1ck [ Wed May 11, 2011 8:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
adidan wrote:
and I still see countless people using their mobiles.
You can add that to my rant list too. That really annoys me. Especially when I have my son in the car.
Author:  big_D [ Wed May 11, 2011 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
They have been doing that here for decades and it works pretty well.

adidan wrote:
They're specifically talking about tailgating and undertaking. They could knock that on the head by fining those that hog overtaking middle lanes doing 50 or 60 on a frikkin motorway.

How are they going to enforce this when they are reducing Police budgets? I barely see any cop cars on the motorways or dual carriageways nowadays and I still see countless people using their mobiles.

Using the inappropriate lane will also get you in trouble, but undertaking or tailgating, because of a lane hog is still an offence...
Author:  dogbert10 [ Wed May 11, 2011 11:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
adidan wrote:
They're specifically talking about tailgating and undertaking. They could knock that on the head by fining those that hog overtaking middle lanes doing 50 or 60 on a frikkin motorway.

How are they going to enforce this when they are reducing Police budgets? I barely see any cop cars on the motorways or dual carriageways nowadays and I still see countless people using their mobiles.



My thoughts exactly. I can't remember the last time I saw a plodmobile on the motorway.
Author:  Linux_User [ Wed May 11, 2011 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
Don't agree with this at all, the Police shouldn't be involved in dispensing justice. We have a judicial system for a reason!
Author:  belchingmatt [ Wed May 11, 2011 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
If this is the road to take then I would prefer a punishment be given as points rather than fines. Hopefully it would enforce better driving in a more equal manner, and importantly wouldn't be seen to be, or be used as a revenue exercise. Policing is paid for by general taxation and should never be self funded in any way.
Author:  adidan [ Wed May 11, 2011 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
big_D wrote:
Using the inappropriate lane will also get you in trouble, but undertaking or tailgating, because of a lane hog is still an offence...

But lane hoggers are causing an offence, other lanes are for overtaking, they're not lanes divided up for different speeds.
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Wed May 11, 2011 3:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
Fines only punish the poor give penalty points to all, If you are going to have fines base them on income.
Author:  adidan [ Wed May 11, 2011 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
Amnesia10 wrote:
Fines only punish the poor give penalty points to all, If you are going to have fines base them on income.

I've long thought this, it happens in other countries. Fined as a proportion of your salary means that the penalty of the crime affects everyone similarly.
Author:  l3v1ck [ Wed May 11, 2011 3:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
Amnesia10 wrote:
Fines only punish the poor
The don't even do that half the time. If things go to court, people on benefits usually get let off with pathetically small fines and a huge amount of time to pay them.
I do agree with the points thing though.
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Wed May 11, 2011 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spot fines for bad drivers
l3v1ck wrote:
Amnesia10 wrote:
Fines only punish the poor
The don't even do that half the time. If things go to court, people on benefits usually get let off with pathetically small fines and a huge amount of time to pay them.
I do agree with the points thing though.

Yes but if you are on benefits you are hardly rich. The same principle applies to the low paid, they should get the same generous terms or even an alternative of community service. I have no problem with them getting small fines. Penalty Points are the fairest.
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